AUSTRALIA

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1939, Page 8

AUSTRALIA

HIGHER PRICES AND TAXES

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.]

SYDNEY, November 3

Rises of 10, 11 and 12 per cent, in leather prices are being allowed from to-morrow. Paints and varnishes are to be raised by 7i per cent, over the price at the start of the war. The New South Wales Legislative Council has passed a Bill to increase the tax on motor-vehicles by 12£ per cent., the proceeds going to road maintenance. Mr. Concannon (Labour) unavailihgly' appealed for exemption of vehicles used in trade.

Mr. Menzies told a deputation of wheat farmers that the sum of £2,000,000 offered by the Government to stabilise wheat prices was still available, and the original condition that the States should find another £1,500,000 would now be waived as regards the next financial year. Mr. Menzies also stated that heavier taxes, though not excessively so, would be required to meet the war expenditure of more than £61,000,000 this year. In addition to the taxes, the Government would also raise loans and use other credit facilities.

ASSISTANT-TREASURER.

SYDNEY, November 3.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Menzies) announced to-day that Mr Percy Spender has been promoted to be Federal Assistant-Treasurer, instead of ActingTreasurer. He paid a tribute to Mr. Spender’s extensive work.

REDUCED FRUIT EXPORTS.

SYDNEY, November 3

Sir Frederick Stewarc. Minister of Supply, indicated that fruit exports in the coming year may be largely reduced. The Government was taking over the crops, and he expected that the poorer people would, on this occasion, be assured of a good supply of apples, pears, and also other fresh foods.

IMPRESSION IN RUSSIA.

SYDNEY, November 3,

Mr. G. Wilson, Dubbo member of the N.S.W. Assembly, has just returned from Europe. He stated that under M. Stalin, Russia has been steadily turning over to modified capitalism. As her food supply was barely enough for herself, Russia could aid Germany very little in this way. Mr. Wilson studied the measures taken in America and Russia to cope with soil erosion. He praises the United States operations.

BIRTH RATE.

SYDNEY, November 3.

Australia’s birth-rate increased last year to 17.6 per 1,000, the highest since 1931, over 120,000 births being recorded.

Marriages were remarkable for the earlier ages of the parties. One bride was aged 12 years, one 13, 17 were 14 years old, 120 were 15, 600 were 16, and there were 4,000 between 17 and 18. Of the bridegrooms, one was 16, and 15 were aged 15. The average age for brides was 26 and for bridegrooms 298.

WATERFRONT UNREST.

MELBOURNE, November 3

Mr. Menzies said to-night there was a tendency towards unrest, on the Australian waterfront. He trusted the good sense of the watersiders would prevent any hold-up in shipments so essential for the war effort. MEAL MONEY ALLOWED. SYDNEY, November 3. Judge JBeeby in the Arbitration Court allowed 2/- meal money for watersiders working after 6 p.m. and after 1 p.m. on Saturdays.